Since moving to a townhouse in 2022, my deck has become an important part of my garden. It’s where I sit and admire my plants, savor a morning cup of coffee, watch for hummingbirds, meditate and grow many of my favorite annuals and herbs. (Fortunately, I also have a community garden plus a few volunteer garden opportunities to keep me…
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A version of this article originally appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of Northern Gardener magazine. Texture is tactile, right? It’s the way plants feel when we touch them, like the sharp tip of a thorn or the fuzziness of a lamb’s ears leaf. In garden design, though, texture is a visual element as well. Garden texture influences how we…
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I just finished my second season as a community gardener, and I’m hoping my third will be the best yet. Through trial and error (mostly error), I’ve learned a few things that might work for you if you are growing food or flowers in a community garden. Set these aside for spring — and have a great season! Know the…
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With the heavy rains we’ve had this year, many gardeners are suffering from tomato problems. Blights and other diseases, cracking, blossom end rot, tomato hornworms — you name it, we’ve had it. This year, I’ve had a different sort of problem on what is my best-looking tomato overall. The tomato is a WonderStar Red tomato, a newish variety that I…
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Hedges can be boring – in some ways, that’s the point of a hedge. They are a straight line of the same plant, trimmed to a neat shape that creates a dividing line in a landscape and a backdrop for more exciting plantings. That’s all good, but why not mix up the plants in a hedge? That’s a question the…
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